The First Verse of the Bible

Introductory Thoughts Building on the wrong foundation almost always gives bad results Our search for truth needs to begin at the right place – Proverbs 9:10 No coincidence that the Bible begins where it does The first verse is the fundamental truth upon which the rest of God’s revelation to mankind depends Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real It is plain that the world exists – There is something rather than nothing But why is there something rather than nothing? Two answered questions help us understand Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real Who is responsible for the fact that we exist? This is the most practical question man ever asks Life is unexplainable if God did not create the world and we simply cannot live without a basic explanation for life It is in God that we live and move and have our being Acts 17:28 Hebrews 1:3 – Hebrews 11:1-3 Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real What shall be our response to this person? Paul speaks of many who knew God but refused to honor Him as such – Romans 1:20-21 The truth that God made the world has vast implications We are accountable to God He has authority over us He will determine our destiny Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real – Right Now Difference between knowing a thing theoretically and knowing it is true through experience God becomes very “real” to us when we lie upon our deathbeds The challenge is to live right now in such a way that God is real to us Romans 1:19-20 Two Things Will Help Keep God Real to Us Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real – Right Now We need to spend more time with God’s world Our move away from an agricultural society has not been all “progress” We need more significant contact with things God has made and less with things man has made In our industrial / technological society, it takes effort to keep in touch with the world that God has made Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

God is Real – Right Now We need to spend more time in God’s word God’s reality confronts us on every page of the scriptures Bible study is about coming to know God Himself We need to learn and consider what we learn about God We need to practice the art of reflection, meditation, and serious thought Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”

Concluding Admonitions The first verse in the Bible teaches us that we came from God – it is also true that we will return to God Considering our eventual return to God, we ought to live each day in practical recognition of our accountability to Him – we ought to live life for God Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding”